South Dakota and portions of Wyoming and
Nebraska were hit earlier this month with what is being called one of the most
devastating blizzards in history. The storm resulted in the death of tens of
thousands of head of livestock. For some ranchers, reported herd losses are 50-90%
or more.

To provide relief for producers affected
by the blizzard, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, South Dakota
Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association have
established the South Dakota Rancher Relief Fund.

“While we’re heartened at the outpouring
of support coming from around the country and offers of cattle donations, we
are encouraging folks to consider financial donations at this time,” says Jodie
Anderson, executive director for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
“With winter bearing down, those affected are struggling with clean-up
operations in addition to the normal fall roundup, weaning and pre-winter
preparations. Our focus at present is financial, physical and psychological
support for producers slogging through the gruesome clean-up process.”

The fund is administered by the Black Hills
Area Community Foundation in cooperation with the founding livestock
organizations. Find more details at www.sdcattlemen.org
or contribute online at www.giveblackhills.org,
and search for “Rancher’s Relief Fund.”

Monetary
Donations

To contribute with a credit card, please
visit www.giveblackhills.org/27677
and click on the “Donate Now” button. Checks made payable to “Ranchers Relief
Fund” may also be mailed to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box
231, Rapid City, SD 57709. A financial donation to the Ranchers Relief
Fund will help with immediate expenses incurred such as carcass removal, fence
repair and roundup/hauling of strays.

Material
and Labor Donations

The South Dakota Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (SDVOAD) is handling the organization of material and labor
donations. Within South Dakota, please call 1-877-708-4357 with offers of
equipment or labor. Out-of-state volunteers may call 1-605-274-1454. Be
prepared to give your name, contact information, and specifics of what you are willing
to do and/or donate. This information will be matched with those needing
assistance as they are identified in the coming days.

“This is going to be a long road to
recovery for ranchers who were in the impacted area,” Anderson says. “The next
monumental task will be carcass removal before winter comes. Beyond that it’s
trying to help determine what rancher’s financial and emotional hurdles are,
and how we can help get them back on their feet.”

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– Source: South
Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, South
Dakota Sheep Growers Association, and the Black Hills Area Community Foundation.